Do You Have to Wear a Retainer Forever After Invisalign?

Are you looking for a convenient and subtle way to straighten your teeth? If so, you are not alone. With Invisalign, you can achieve your goals within six months to two years, depending on the severity of your case. After your Invisalign treatment, you can expect straight, beautiful teeth.

Is a Retainer Necessary After Treatment?

You do not want your pearly whites to shift back to their original positions. So, you must wear your retainers to maintain your new smile. Otherwise, failure to do so will eventually affect your overall oral health and the appearance of your smile. Like with metal braces, wearing a retainer will help maintain your improved smile. 

Will Your Teeth Move if You Do Not Wear a Retainer?

Invisalign treatment gently and gradually softens your jawbone, allowing your teeth to shift into new positions. As new bone tissue forms, your jawbone, gum, and surrounding tissues are not strong enough to hold your teeth into place. Wearing a retainer after treatment helps support your teeth in their desired positions. It prevents them from moving back to their original positions. 

How Long Do You Need to Wear Your Retainers?

After Invisalign treatment, dentists recommend wearing your retainers for as long as it takes for new bone tissue to form to keep your teeth in place. Once this happens, and your teeth fully stabilize in their new positions, you should still wear your retainers. However, you will not need to wear them as frequently. Three to five nights a week is usually sufficient. 

Will You Wear a Retainer Forever?

You do not need to wear them forever. It takes about nine to twelve months for the body to form enough bone tissue to stabilize teeth. So, after about one year of wearing a retainer, you should have enough new bone tissue to keep your teeth in a stable position. 

That is why you will require a retainer less frequently after 12 months. Your teeth will not move much after this time, but they can still slightly move inward and forward. However, that should not make a big difference in your smile. 

What Happens if You Lose Your Retainer?

If you lose or break your retainer, inform your dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will work with you to schedule an appointment as quickly as possible to order a replacement. So, you will not lose the progress you achieved with your treatment. During your dental appointment, your dentist will take digital impressions of your mouth and teeth and use them to create your new retainer. 

Following your Invisalign treatment, the last thing you want is to break or misplace your retainer. That can compromise the progress of your new and improved smile. You can protect your retainer from damage by removing them before drinking or eating and cleaning them regularly. It would be best if you also stored them in a well-made case when not in use to minimize the likelihood of misplacing them.

For more on Invisalign, visit Align Dental at our office in Boston, Massachusetts. Call (617) 340-5300 to book an appointment today.